Product Description
People are dropping dead in Washington, D.C. First the Speakerof the House falls victim to a hitman in a carefully orchestrated murder infront of dozens of the city's power elite. Next, the director of theLibrary of Congress's Rare Books Room dies in a book vault, but no oneknows how. Caleb Shaw, Camel Club member, nearly falls victim, too. Acrossthe country, a gifted con woman assembles an A-list team to pull off one ofthe most audacious scams ever, against one of the most dangerous men in theworld. When the worlds of Washington and the elite con collide head-on, theCamel Club finds itself teamed with a person they don't really trust butwhose skill helps them unravel a secret that threatens to bring America toits knees. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (182)

the colletors
just as exciting as his other books --could not put it down--just about got caught in the CIA web

The Collectors
I love David Baldacci's books. This is the first "Camel Club" I've read. I will be looking for more.

My first one of his, but not my last
I work in a public library and I see Mr. Baldacci's books come and go on a regular basis.I decided to take the plunge and read The Collectors.I'm pretty happy with my choice.

I don't have a lot of patience for books that fail to draw me in right away.In this book, the author delivers - big time.There are two stories running side by side in this non-stop thriller.The story lines are believable, enticing and educational as well.

I will admit to a certain bias as I am a book lover and that is central to one of the story lines in the book.With that said, I've tried to not color my opinion too much in this regard.

If you have not had the chance to read any of Baldacci's stuff then you are missing out on some great writing.

Get this book.I believe you will not be disappointed

Would love to find out how it ends
As with all David Baldacci stories this one does not disappoint. Unfortunately tape #4 is so warped it cannot be played. I had to surgically remove it from the player.

Great book
Loved this book, it is the second installment in the Camel Club collection.David Baldacci, another great book. ... Read more

Product Description
In an Author's Note at the end of his book The Widow of the South, Robert Hicks tells us that "when Oscar Wilde made his infamous tour of America in 1882, he told his hosts that his itinerary should include a visit to 'sunny Tennessee to meet the Widow McGavock, the high priestess of the temple of dead boys.'"Carrie McGavock, The Widow of the South, did indeed take it upon herself to grieve the loss of so many young men in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, which took place on November 30, 1864.Nine thousand men lost their lives that day.She and her husband John eventually re-buried on their own land 1,481 Confederate soldiers killed at Franklin, when the family that owned the land on which the original shallow graves had been dug decided to plow it under and put it into cultivation.Before the battle begins, Carrie's house is commandeered for a field hospital and all normal life is suspended.Carrie is anything but normal, however.She has buried three children, has two living children she pays little attention to, has turned the running of the house over to her slave, Mariah, and spends her time dressed in black walking around in the dark or lying down lamenting her loss.She is a morbid figure from the outset but becomes less so as the novel progresses.The death going on all around her shakes her out of her torpor, but death is definitely her comfort zone.One of the soldiers who is treated at the house is Zachariah Cashwell, who loses his leg when Carrie sends him to surgery rather than watch him die.They are inextricably bound in some kind of a spiritual dance from then on.Their reasons for being drawn to each other are inexplicable, apparently, because they remain unexplained, and when Cashwell tells Carrie he loves her, she beats him nearly to death because she loves him too.At least, that is the reason Hicks gives.He violates that first caveat given to all writers: "show us, don't tell us."There is doubtless something deeply flawed in Carrie and screamingly symbolic about her behavior; it is surely elusive.Too bad, because Carrie was a real person whom Hicks lauds for her compassion and ability to grieve without end.Then, he throws in this gratuitous "love story" and confuses the issue.Carrie's relationship with her husband and children remains unexamined. Hicks is better at describing death and "the stink of war" than he is at life.If you read War and Peace and loved all the war parts and were bored senseless by the peace parts, this is your cup of tea. --Valerie RyanAmazon.com Review
In an Author's Note at the end of his book The Widow of the South, Robert Hicks tells us that "when Oscar Wilde made his infamous tour of America in 1882, he told his hosts that his itinerary should include a visit to 'sunny Tennessee to meet the Widow McGavock, the high priestess of the temple of dead boys.'"Carrie McGavock, The Widow of the South, did indeed take it upon herself to grieve the loss of so many young men in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, which took place on November 30, 1864.Nine thousand men lost their lives that day.She and her husband John eventually re-buried on their own land 1,481 Confederate soldiers killed at Franklin, when the family that owned the land on which the original shallow graves had been dug decided to plow it under and put it into cultivation.

Before the battle begins, Carrie's house is commandeered for a field hospital and all normal life is suspended.Carrie is anything but normal, however.She has buried three children, has two living children she pays little attention to, has turned the running of the house over to her slave, Mariah, and spends her time dressed in black walking around in the dark or lying down lamenting her loss.She is a morbid figure from the outset but becomes less so as the novel progresses.The death going on all around her shakes her out of her torpor, but death is definitely her comfort zone.

One of the soldiers who is treated at the house is Zachariah Cashwell, who loses his leg when Carrie sends him to surgery rather than watch him die.They are inextricably bound in some kind of a spiritual dance from then on.Their reasons for being drawn to each other are inexplicable, apparently, because they remain unexplained, and when Cashwell tells Carrie he loves her, she beats him nearly to death because she loves him too.At least, that is the reason Hicks gives.He violates that first caveat given to all writers: "show us, don't tell us."There is doubtless something deeply flawed in Carrie and screamingly symbolic about her behavior; it is surely elusive.Too bad, because Carrie was a real person whom Hicks lauds for her compassion and ability to grieve without end.Then, he throws in this gratuitous "love story" and confuses the issue.Carrie's relationship with her husband and children remains unexamined. Hicks is better at describing death and "the stink of war" than he is at life.If you read War and Peace and loved all the war parts and were bored senseless by the peace parts, this is your cup of tea. --Valerie Ryan ... Read more

Customer Reviews (133)

Depressing
I don't know how a man can give a prospective from the eye of a woman, but that is how this book is written.I know that it is an accounting of an actual battle and that part of the story was mildlly interesting but the accounting of the nutty female who falls in love with a broken soldier and constantly cleans up blood; the wise slave who isn't quite in this world, the detached husband who knows his wife is involved with the soldier but doesn't care, and the children who are dead but constantly present make for a depressing and sad book.I would like to know the author because HE is the strange one - not the story.Sorry I read it and would NOT read any of his other attempts at writing.

Widow of the South
I prefer non-fiction books, but do in fact enjoy historical fiction, although by some people's standards this probably wouldn't fall into that category because some parts of the story are embellished.Despite that, I think it is an interesting story of characters from different walks of lives, different military ranks, etc and enjoyed reading about their different perspectives. At times, I did have to look back to past chapters to remember which character's storyline, and that was frustrating.But I did like the author's writing style and that's always a big deal for me.I felt that some of the story was never developed fully, such as what happened to Carrie McGavock's children, instead the same info seemed to be repeated. I love books and appreciate that each book is very important to its authors, it takes alot of effort and care to produce a book, and so my conclusion is that it was worth reading.

loved reading this book
if you like reading diaries, you will like this book. i enjoyed that it was based on a real person and a real place during the civil war.i loved reading this book. borrowed it from a friend then bought my own copy thru amazon. planning a trip this fall to see carnton plantation in franklin tennessee. can't wait to see it with my own eyes.

widow of the south
This book arrived in great condition and gives a great update behind the scenes of the Battle of Franklin in 1864, involving civilians and soldiers together as a plantation is turned into a hospital and a wounded soldier brings love into the life of the woman character. This book was excellent and is a great read!

Widow of the South
It was excellent!Very interesting and informative about the Civil War battle at Franklin. ... Read more

Product Description
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks comes the long-awaited follow-up to his classic tale of enduring love, The Notebook.After 30 years, Wilson Lewis, son-in-law to Noah and Allie (of The Notebook fame), is forced to admit that the romance has gone out of his marriage. Despite the shining example of his in-laws' 50-year love affair, Wilson himself is a man unable to express how he truly feels. With the distractions of his daughter's upcoming wedding he is forced to realize how close he is to losing his own wife Jane. But if Wilson is sure of anything, it's this: His love for his wife has only intensified over the years, and he wants nothing more than to make their marriage work. Now, with the memories of his in-laws' inspiring life together as his guide, Wilson pledges to find a way to make his wife fall in love with him...again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (316)

LOVE this book!
Sparks gives us his skill as a romance writer with an epic twist that will leave you in tears. I could not recommend this book more. If you are a fan of Sparks or are just looking for a good read, I suggest "The Wedding."

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
Great book, I love chick flicks and this is it's equal. Not a big reader but this kept your interest. It was recommended by a friend that said it was her favorite. I can see why, great book.

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
Everyone should read this book The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks.Actually you should read all his books. My daughter got me into reading this past summer and told me about these wonderful stories. They are true to life and inspirational.The Wedding was a great book. I would of never thought how it would of ended.Great story..

Nice small book
Nice book in good shape.. but I was hoping the size was going to be bigger..It is for my daughter who had gotten this one at a flea market and it ended up having pages missing...good lesson to stick with Amzon.com for book purchases!

The Wedding
I absolutely loved this book. It was the perfect love story. Its about how hard a husband tries to fix his and his wifes marriage. Proving his undenying love for her was the only way. He was focused 100% on re-sparking their marriage throughout the story. In the end all of his effort payed off. ... Read more

Product Description

A deadly toxic compound in the middle of the African desert is killing thousands of people and threatening to extinguish marine life in the world's seas. As Dirk Pitt crosses the Sahara to uncover an unholy conspiracy, he discovers the truth about Kitty Mannock, an Australian pilot missing since 1931, and an incredible secret held in a Confederate ironclad...An explosive, high-voltage audio experience, Sahara takes Dirk Pitt on his most dangerous journey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (143)

Just one issue with Cussler...
This is the only Cussler book I've read (and I haven't actually finished it yet).I like Cussler's imagination and sense of adventure, which I why I have stuck through this book and may read other Cussler books.I hate to be so technical in my criticism, but it's this:Cussler has no ear for dialog.The way people talk in this book is not how real people speak.He tends to put too much explication in the dialog - that stuff needs to go into explanatory paragraphs.Because of that I had a hard time identifying with the characters.Other than that, it's well plotted and fun, so it's not all bad.

NUMA in the Desert
The Lowdown: Arguably Clive Cussler's most popular novel besides "Raise the Titanic!," and coincidentally the only other Pitt book besides "Raise the Titanic!" to be made into a major motion picture.

The Plot: After rescuing a beautiful WHO doctor from assassins in Egypt, Dirk Pitt finds himself investigating a red tide in the Niger river. Both Pitt and his WHO friend Eva begin to discover that a French zillionaire's "solar detoxification" plant that supposedly destroys toxic waste is actually dumping waste in Mali with the aid of de-facto dictator General Zateb Kazim, and will do anything to keep it a secret, including kill them.

The Pros: This book, simply put, is an epic adventure to save the world from the nastiest villains you've ever read about. Dirk finds himself in some seriously intense situations, getting enslaved in a gold mine, almost dying trying to cross the Sahara with Giordino, almost killing Eva to prevent her from being ravaged by the Malian military. Other Highlights include a spectacular fire-fight on the Niger river, a jury-rigged airplane ride through the desert, and Dirk's final confrontation with arch-fiend Yves Massarde (oh, poetic justice!).

The Cons: There is very little to complain about in this book, Cussler is on top of his game in Sahara. The obligatory scenes with squabbling politicians are always a bit of a bore, and the idea of a red tide that can destroy the entire planet is a bit much to take. The only other bugaboo is that the "treasure hunt" aspect of the story with the missing ironclad has almost nothing to do with the main plot.

Excellent.
I am not as good at reviewing as others on here, but Amazon sort of pushes the issue. So I will simply say that as a Dirk Pitt fan, I was not disappointed. Another winner. (Yes, I say the same thing on every review. I review simply to give a "star rating". But Amazon forces me to write something. I am a reader, not a writer.)

Better than the movie
If you liked the movie, you'll LOVE the book.Much more exciting.A must read.

Solidly enjoyable
This is the first Clive Cussler book I have ever read. Reading some of the reviews, I see some people didn't like this book, but I actually enjoyed this book a lot. I had been going through the bargain bin of books at the local store and found this book as a marked-down paperback. I read the back of the book and it sounded interesting, so I picked it up. And I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Yes, a certain suspension of disbelief is required to enjoy this book, especially the part with Abraham Lincoln. But overall the story is well-paced, the characters fun, and the action interesting. There's just so much great stuff going on, I really did love this book. It might not be for everyone, but if you're looking for an action and adventure book with colorful characters, fun scenes, and some pretty cool historical trivia, you should enjoy this book. I give it a solid 4.5/5 stars. ... Read more

Product Description
Marquis Theatre program of Broadway premier performance with illustrated cover, large fold-out, and many colorful photos. ... Read more